Chinese Grammar Bank
HOW TO USE 看, 要看, & 得看
In Chinese, the expression “it depends” is commonly conveyed using the verb 看 (kàn), which literally means “to look” or “to see.”
When combined with other words like 要 (yào) or 得 (děi), it expresses conditions or dependencies.
HOW TO USE 看
看 (kàn) alone can be used to mean “it depends” when followed by a condition or factor.
This is a simple and conversational way to express uncertainty or dependency on a situation.
PATTERN
看 + (factor/condition)
看 + question word (谁 / 什么 / 什么时候 / 怎么样, etc.)
| 我们什么时候开会?看老板的安排。 | Wǒmen shénme shíhòu kāihuì? Kàn lǎobǎn de ānpái. | When will we have the meeting? Depends on the boss’s schedule. |
| 看大家的努力。 | kàn dàjiā de nǔlì. | Depends on everyone’s effort. |
| 看你的态度。 | Kàn nǐ de tàidù. | Depends on your attitude. |
HOW TO USE 要看
要看 (yào kàn) emphasises the factor or condition more explicitly.
It is often used in response to questions and expresses that the decision will depend on a particular situation.
PATTERN
要看 + (factor/condition)
| 你什么时候走要看你什么时候有空。 | Nǐ shénme shíhòu zǒu yào kàn nǐ shénme shíhòu yǒu kòng. | When you leave depends on when you are free. |
| 我们去哪里旅行要看天气情况。 | Wǒmen qù nǎlǐ lǚxíng yào kàn tiānqì qíngkuàng. | Where we travel depends on the weather. |
| 我能不能参加聚会要看有没有时间。 | Wǒ néng bu néng cānjiā jùhuì yào kàn yǒu méiyǒu shíjiān. | Whether I can attend the gathering depends on whether I have time. |
HOW TO USE 得看
得看 (děi kàn) is slightly less formal and mean “it would depend on”.
Otherwise it is used similarly as “要看“。
PATTERN
得看 + (factor/condition)
| 你能不能通过考试得看你复习得怎么样。 | Nǐ néng bu néng tōngguò kǎoshì děi kàn nǐ fùxí de zěnme yàng. | Whether you can pass the exam depends on how well you review. |
| 我们什么时候动身得看天气情况。 | Wǒmen shénme shíhòu dòngshēn děi kàn tiānqì qíngkuàng. | When we depart depends on the weather. |
| 他能不能成功得看他的努力程度。 | Tā néng bu néng chénggōng děi kàn tā de nǔlì chéngdù. | Whether he succeeds depends on his level of effort. |
SIMILAR EXPRESSION 取决于
In Chinese, 取决于 (qǔjué yú) is a more formal way of expressing “depends on.”
It is typically used in professional, academic, or formal contexts.
This expression is more formal than 看 (kàn), 要看 (yào kàn), and 得看 (děi kàn), and it is generally used in more serious or formal situations.
看 (kàn), 要看 (yào kàn), and 得看 (děi kàn) are less formal.
They are more commonly used in everyday conversations and informal situations, and can be translated to less formal expressions of “depends on” in English, such as “it’s up to…” it all comes down to”.
| 这个项目的成功取决于市场需求的变化。 | Zhège xiàngmù de chénggōng qǔjué yú shìchǎng xūqiú de biànhuà. | The success of this project depends on the changes in market demand. |
| 我们的决定取决于你们的反馈。 | Wǒmen de juédìng qǔjué yú nǐmen de fǎnkuì. | Our decision depends on your feedback. |
| 这个计划能否顺利进行取决于资金是否充足。 | Zhège jìhuà néngfǒu shùnlì jìnxíng qǔjué yú zījīn shìfǒu chōngzú. | Whether this plan can proceed smoothly depends on whether there is sufficient funding. |
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FAQs
What does 看 mean in the context of expressing “it depends”?
看 is used to indicate that the outcome depends on a specific factor, e.g., 看天气 (kàn tiānqì), meaning “It depends on the weather.”
Can 看, 要看, and 得看 be used interchangeably?
Generally, yes, but 要看 and 得看 often convey more emphasis or necessity than 看 alone.
How do you use 要看 in a sentence?
Example: 这要看你的时间 (zhè yào kàn nǐ de shíjiān), meaning “This depends on your time.”
What’s the difference between 看, 要看, and 得看?
看 is neutral, 要看 adds emphasis (e.g., “it really depends”), and 得看 implies a necessity to consider certain conditions.
Are these expressions formal or informal?
These expressions are commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the tone and setting.
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